Policy - EBAA

POLICY: EBAA

EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/6/24

CANCELS SHEET DATED: 12/16/15

REVIEWED BY POLICY COMMITTEE: 09/18/24

CHEMICAL HAZARDS

The RSU #74 board is committed to providing a safe environment for students and employees.  It is the policy of the RSU #74 to follow safe practices regarding storage and handling of hazardous chemicals in its schools.  RSU #74 complies with all applicable Maine and federal laws and regulations concerning hazardous chemicals.

The superintendent is responsible for the safe handling and storage of hazardous chemicals in schools, the development of required written plans, the designation of a Chemical Hygiene Officer, and ensuring that staff are trained with respect to chemical hazards found in the workplace.  Written plans shall include information regarding proper purchasing, labelling, storage, training, handling, and disposal of hazardous chemicals.

HAZCOM (HAZARD COMMUNICATION) STANDARDS

RSU #74 complies with OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard 29 CFR 1910.1200, as adopted and enforced by the Maine Department of Labor. Written hazard communication (HazCom) plan is required to list of chemicals being used in RSU #74 schools, training of employees that handle these chemicals, and knowledge of where safety data sheets (SDS) are located and how to read them.  This standard applies to hazard communications for hazardous chemicals such as those used in cleaning and disinfection, which may be found in custodial and food service areas, among other locations.

LABORATORY SCIENCE CHEMICALS

RSU #74 complies with OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.1450, as adopted and enforced by the Maine Department of Labor, which addresses science laboratory chemicals.   This standard applies to science laboratory chemicals commonly found in chemistry and biology laboratories in schools. 

The superintendent appoints a Chemical Hygiene Officer for the RSU #74.  The Chemical Hygiene Officer is responsible for developing and implementing a Chemical Hygiene Plan, to be reviewed annually, that includes procedures relevant to the identification, purchase, storage, inventory, handling, and disposal of hazardous chemicals used in science laboratories; maintenance of safety data sheets (SDS) for laboratory chemicals; and ensuring that employees with science/laboratory responsibilities are provided appropriate training on the specific hazards associated with the chemicals being used in school laboratories and how to read the SDS for these chemicals.

The person appointed Chemical Hygiene Officer must be an employee of RSU #74, preferably a science teacher or another staff member who is knowledgeable about the chemicals being used in school laboratories and stored in the schools.

Legal Reference:  29 C.F.R. §§ 1910.1200, 1910.1450

                                 26 M.R.S.A. § 565

                                 Me. Dept. of Prof. Regulation Rule Ch. 2 § 179 

                                 Me. Dept. of Ed. Rule Ch. 161

                                 Commissioner’s Administrative Letter No. 33, June 9, 2005

                                             (Chemicals in Schools)

Cross Reference:  EBCA – Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan